The Pioneer Trail at Coaticook Sœur St-Louis et Abbé Chartier
Sister St-Louis de Gonzague (1837-1895)
Father Jean-Baptiste Chartier (1832-1917)
Each in their own way, Sister St-Louis de Gonzague and Father Chartier significantly contributed to Coaticook development. Sister St-Louis became the first superior of the convent of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Coaticook in 1870, while Father Chartier distinguished himself by his entrepreneurial qualities. In addition to setting up businesses and enterprises in the village of Coaticook, he succeeded, between 1868 and 1877, in building the first church and presbytery of St. Edmond as well as the first convent devoted to the instruction of youth. Thanks to his efforts, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary were established in Coaticook. Sister St-Louis directed the convent for the first four years and then again for an 11-year period at the end of her life. Instruction was bilingual under the leadership of Sister St-Louis, and with the collaboration of other nuns who arrived with her in Coaticook, boarders and day students were welcomed in the new building, which would soon have to be expanded to accommodate a growing number of students. In spite of Father Chartier’s financial bankruptcy in 1875, which almost led to the loss of the convent, the sisters and the people of Coaticook were extremely grateful for the impetus the illustrious priest gave to the development of the parish and the municipality. To this day, Coaticook bears the indelible mark of these two dedicated pioneers.
GPS : 45.136700 N -71.797000 O
ADDRESS : 294, rue St-Jacques Nord, Coaticook
The voices of yesteryear at the heart of our landscapes
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The commemorative stele of Sister St-Louis speaking to Pastor Chartier can be found on the premises of a convent built in 1931. The convent, which doubled as a school, was run by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and later took the name of St-Edmond and then St-Michel. It welcomed primary students until 1997, when it was purchased by the Coaticook MRC for municipal office space. The school is located in a heritage working-class neighbourhood, as attested by the factories located a bit further down by the Coaticook River and the St-Paul Street dam, as well as the architecture of the houses in the area. For an opportunity to enjoy a walk around the Collège Rivier school and the St-Edmond church and presbytery, make your way to the cemetery, where you will find several characters that Sister St-Louis and Pastor Chartier mentioned to you earlier.
Download the guide “D’hier à aujourd’hui : L’industrie à Coaticook” (French only) from www.ville.coaticook.qc.ca for a treasure trove of information to make your stroll around this neighbourhood even more rewarding. A number of houses in this area are also documented by the “Promenades architecturales Coaticook” guide, also available from ville.coaticook.qc.ca. A wonderful opportunity to find out more! From where you stand now, you’re also close to the Parc de la Gorge www.gorgedecoaticook.qc.ca/en with its renowned suspended footbridge; why not enjoy a quick visit or even opt for the full hiking experience? If your stomach is starting to rumble, you can stop by Coffret de l’imagination (www.coffret.ca), housed in a former factory, to enjoy a meal indoors or on the restaurant’s expansive terrace. Right next door, the clerks at the Coaticook tourism office will gladly help you plan your outings or offer you a gift basket overflowing with regional flavours: http://www.tourismecoaticook.qc.ca/index_en.php. Go inside and have a look! When you’re done, as a reward, head over to the Laiterie de Coaticook (www.laiteriedecoaticook.com) for a delectable frozen treat. You’ve earned it!
Enjoy a CHARMING and CULTURALLY REWARDING
journey on our lovely roads!